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Panhellenic Association materials, 1873 - 1997

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 172, Series 3

Scope and Contents

This series contains materials that are related to the Panhellenic Association and its individual chapters. Contents span from general matters that are pertinent to the entire association, such as finances, policies, housing, etc., to those that are pertinent to the chapters, such as brochures, scholastic indexes, information sheets, etc.

Dates

  • 1873 - 1997

Access Information

Series is open for research but some material has been restricted as it contained personal information of a sensitive nature, such as grades and social security information. This restricted material from was removed from Series 3, Sub-series 1 box 14 and Sub-series 2, Box 18. All restricted material has been moved to box 26 (restricted).

Historical Information

The Purdue Panhellenic Association was founded in 1917, when only 291 women were enrolled in the university. The first sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, was established in the year 1915 and three years later, Alpha Chi Omega was established. Following these sororities were Kappa Kappa Gamma, Chi Omega in 1919, Alpha Xi Delta, Pi Beta Phi and Zeta Tau Alpha in 1921, Phi Mu in 1929, Delta Gamma in 1940, Sigma Kappa and Alpha Delta Pi in 1947 and Alpha Omicron Pi and Alpha Pi in 1963. The present Constitution of the association was originally approved in 1941, amended in 1949 and revised in 1954. Since then there have been sororities leaving the association, as well as joining. There have also been many controversies regarding sororities, with critics saying they are “outdated, exclusive and downright insidious”. Rushing is also seen as an issue. However advocates feel that the friendships are sororities’ chief selling point.

Extent

6 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The series is divided into two sub-series:
  1. General Panhellenic Council materials (1935 - 1996; 4 cubic feet). This sub-series contains general documents pertaining to activities, policies, and events of the Panhellenic Association.
  2. Panhellenic Council Chapters (1873 - 1997; 2 cubic feet). This sub-series contains documents pertaining to 21 active chapters as well as some inactive ones governed by the Panhellenic Association.

Processing Information

Some folders and documents from boxes 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, that contained private student information were removed and returned to the donor.

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

http://www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol
Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839